Regina Rebels seal second place in Esso Cup standings with 5-1 win over Fraser Valley Phantom

by Michelle Candusso

Burnaby, B.C. – The Regina Rebels (West) took advantage of multiple power plays to beat Esso Cup host team the Fraser Valley Phantom 5-1, and earn their second win in three days, Tuesday evening inside Bill Copeland Sports Centre.

At the beginning of the game it appeared to be an even match-up. The puck sailed back and forth and the crowd was on the edge of their seats waiting for something to give. Regina attacked in unison, while Fraser Valley spotted the defensive gaps and penetrated offensively.

Fraser Valley goalie Laticia Castillo (Surrey, B.C.) faced a lot of pressure through all three periods, as Regina out shot Fraser Valley 13-5 in the game. A Regina power play allowed the Western reps to get on the scoreboard first, when Delaney Frey (Weyburn, Sask.) notched one with just 2.10 seconds left on the clock in the first period.

The man-advantage continued to assist Regina in the second, with Hannah Heisler (Moose Jaw, Sask.) assisting Emma Waldenberger (Moose Jaw, Sask.) in making it 2-0 over Fraser Valley in the first five minutes of the period. But the Phantom defence sprang into action and carried pressure into the attacking zone, where Danika Carter (North Vancouver, B.C.) fired it into the net at 16:59 to score her team’s only goal of the game. For the remainder of the period, however, Regina denied Fraser Valley of any real threats, and with just over a minute left in the middle frame, Teah Anderson (Regina, Sask.) solidified a two-goal lead over the host team.

The scoring continued for Regina in to the third period. Kelsey Bohay (Regina, Sask.) lit it up within the first three minutes of the period and Hannah Heisler (Moose Jaw, Sask.) shot a sniper into the back of the net midway through the period. Although Fraser Valley remained resilient throughout the entire game, the Phantom met their unfortunate fate when time ran out in the last period. Regina snagged the win with a 5-1 final score, giving the Rebels six points in Esso Cup standings.

Regina head coach Kim Perepeluk looks forward to the next match-up. “Every game is so different; teams are so strong,” he said following the game.

Perepeluk added that the overall strategy for Regina going forward is to “look back over our last three games and just be prepared for anything.”

Regina plays its next game against Edmonton at 4 p.m. PT on Wednesday, April 24, 2013, while Fraser Valley faces off against Halifax Metro Boston Pizza at 7:30 p.m. PT. Follow all the action live on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/HC_EssoCup and watch live, free on FASTHockey, by visiting hockeycanada.fasthockey.com.